Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Fine. Harry writes that he thought Cheney’s Bill had been paid. Cheneys write politely to me, that they will be very glad to stay the action if the money £1. 7. 6 be paid before the 30th inst.

George Beere wrote me a note asking for a trifle towards his expenses of getting his eyesight restored at Oxford Eye Infirmary. He has been almost totally blind for two or three years, but is better owing to the treatment undergone. Miss Dix gave Rosa 1/- for him. I added 1/- and took Bell and Miss Sottick to Tadmarton to give it to him this evening. He was very grateful.

Wrote to Swan Sonnenschein & Co asking for account of sales of “The Teaching of the Prayer Book” since date of last Balance Sheet supplied to me several years ago.

Walked to Heath and home by “Pig & Whistle” with Miss Sottick this evening and got caught in heavy rain.

Fine. Took Miss Sottick up lane to Beggar’s Ditch, down to Traitor’s Ford and home through Sibford Ferris. Met Mr and Mrs Marshall.

4th after Trinity. Fine on the whole, but heavy rain from 3 – 4. Visited and taught Boys School this morn.

Received returned manuscript from R Bentley & Son. Also letter from Swan Sonnenschein & Co promising accounts to be brought down to June 30th. Drove Bell to Banbury, much rain. Ruby was so full-bellied that she took two hours to go in. We brought out Kitty Rogers on a visit. Ruby came out capitally.

Fine and warmer. Visited E Scruby Senior and Junior Cassell, F Inns, Mrs Alcock, Widow J Lamb. Took Kitty Rogers and Miss Sottick for a walk round Sibford Ferris., Pitch Hill, “Pig & Whistle”, the Heath, to Epwell corner and home by Pound Lane. Met Thomas Aris who went with his daughter Patience yesterday to see his son Robert in the Infirmary of the workhouse yesterday. He thought the lad could not last long and “had a thought” in his mind that he was not fed as he should be. “The boy was powerless to feed himself and should have food put into his mouth at short intervals.” I asked him whether he had said anything to the nurse about it. He said “no.” But some little meat pies he had taken him a fortnight ago were in his cupboard still, as well as oranges, etc. I told him that if he thought the boy was neglected he should speak to the Nurse Matron or Master about it and perhaps they would satisfy him that he had misjudged them.